Chen returned home lighter than he had felt in days.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the corridor windows as he unlocked his apartment door, still thinking about tomorrow's plan for the kittens. He even hummed faintly under his breath.
"Yun Hu?" he called casually as he stepped inside.
Silence.
That was unusual.
Yun Hu would normally answer immediately—either from the couch, the kitchen, or by padding over with that familiar soft shuffle.
Chen slipped off his shoes and walked further in.
"Yun Hu?"
Still nothing.
His smile faded.
He took out his phone and called Xu Jin.
The call connected quickly.
"You're back?" Xu Jin's voice came through, steady as always.
"Yes. Where's Yun Hu?"
"I left him at your place," Xu Jin replied calmly. "He was in the living room when I left."
Chen turned slowly in place.
The living room was empty.
The blanket on the couch was slightly rumpled. The water bowl sat untouched. The air felt… wrong.
